DOMINION AIRMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25208, 24 April 1943, Page 4

DOMINION AIRMEN

EXPLOITS OVERSEAS NO OFFICIAL RECORD* <1 (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Apl. 20. No official service record of the exploits of the New Zealand Spitfire squadron exists in London, and the rough details published in the New Zealand daily press are compiled from the records of the New Zealand Press A QcnpiJition New Zealand has the doubtful distinction of having the only air force which has not compiled oftleial records of its pilots and air crews in Britain. Although the R.A.F., the R.A.A.F., and the R.C.A.F. all have large public relations staffs which collect news and compile records, R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters has not even a single public relations officer. Indeed, the attitude of the Air Department in Wellington is somewhat difficult to understond in London. Apparently it objects to the names of New Zealand airmen being published in connection .with their experiences, whereas the R.A.F. and other dominions give the fullest publicity to names and incidents. There is no doubt that, if it had not been for the necessarily limited service of the New Zealand Press Association, the Dominion would have known comparatively little of the very fine record of its airmen in Britain. The Air Department is still apparently disinclined to make any move to appoint a public relations officer, and still maintains a somewhat aggrieved air at the mention of New Zealanders’ names.

NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Apl. 23. When the above message was referred to the Air Department. Wellington, for comment, it was stated that the question of compiling an official record for New Zealand pilots and air crews in Britain had been under consideration by the Government recently, and an early decision was expected. There had been some objection in the past to the of the names of air personnel in certain cases, although. as was well known, the names of individual New Zealanders frequently appeared in the press. i It was further stated that the question of the appointment of a public relations officer in London, together with New Zealand publicity in London, was being investigated by .the Minister of Defence. Mr F. Jones, at the present time.